An abyss devoid of all light filled my vision as the silent whispers of the surrounding shadows casted by the rising sun reached out like clawing fingers reaching for desperate help and a chance at survival. The sound of early morning dew dripping to the hard ground below filled my ears as the cold water trickled down my cheek. Smoke painted with the all too familiar smell of blood tracked the canals of my nose as roaring pain screams erupted in the darkness drenched in explosions and torn earth. An enjoyable image of Agusta being drugged from underneath the corpse that my gift belonged to while a line of knights stood tall with shields raised to fend off stray rubble. I smiled as the shadows of everything around the coming battlefield were connected to Penumbra.
Opening my eyes, I was a bit startled seeing Beatrice hovering over Nyxis who was in worse shape than I thought. Several ribs were broken making it hard for her to properly breathe without pain erupting while a fractured collar bone could be felt protruding just underneath the skin or that is what Beatrice told me. The worst news she told me was that there were signs of Nyxis being ravaged during her unwanted stay with Agusta. My heart burned with rage at the man but I kept my head and examined the seal placed upon Nyxis' lower stomach just above the belly button. Anger still burned through my being but I was relieved to see that the seal was still intact even after many attempts to break it.
The seal was in the shape of two half moons stacked atop one another while another half crescent connected each one to the other down the middle. It was old eleven magic that helped to keep the women from being impregnated during sex since there was no need for children do to the long lives elves generally have. Some call it a more humane way of keeping the populace in check without exiling those too weak or too old to be of use anymore. Of course there were those whose seals were broken allowing children to be birthed and families to begin on contrary to the common norm. We were lucky that Mother was one of the rebellious types or us siblings wouldn't be here to fight alongside one another after so many years.
I ran my fingers from the seal, brushed the bandages around Nyxis' chest, and stopped with her left ear cupped between my thumb and index finger. Her body trembled at my touch as if she replayed the events over again in her slumbering mind while tears ran gently down her cheeks and into my palm. Kneeling down, the faint obsidian crimson of my aura appeared around my hand as I stroked her cheek hoping to let her know that she was not alone and that I was at her side just like she always was during night terrors. A uncontainable smile erupted on my face as she laid her head in my palm and gave a small smirk of her own. Her trembling body ceased to move as her breaths became evenly before a calming slumber fell upon her once more.
"It'll take time," Beatrice spoke in a playful tone as I stood, "but the stubborn bitch will heal. Don't you worry."
Shaking my head with a grin, "Stubborn bitch? Couldn't come up with anything else to say?"
Beatrice rolled her eyes as she hugged me, "Just trying to lighten the mood a little, love. Gods know we could use some about now. I'm already counting on many injuries to come through the tent and lucky that several of the Beastking's men volunteered to help keep things running smoothly."
Her face became serious as we passed through the tent's threshold, "Now, what do you intend to do with Vaniel's injured?"
I returned the insectoid Az'ruk's greeting as we went by his small group, "What about them, Beatrice?"
"Don't play dumb," all eyes fell on us as we stopped in front of the twenty goblin riders that made up part of the calvary units, "you know damn well what I mean!"
Closing my eyes, I stopped and took a deep breath in despite the whispers flowing freely from agaped mouths around me screeching about the disregard of status on display before their very eyes. I did in fact knew what Beatrice wanted to hear but I willingly chose to play dumb hoping it would blow over but it seems things weren't meant to be. Beatrice wanted to be told that all of Vaniel's wounded would be gathered and treated as prisoners of war as is the unspoken norm for such battles yet such norms are used when the races of men fight one another. Monsters on the other hand do not hold such rules of engagement to heart when conquering rival tribes. Beatrice knew this when I first introduced her to the Little Bat after finding her clutching the deceased corpses of her adult sons.
"Very well," I turned to face the woman who tries so hard to heal this rotted world, "there will be know wounded nor prisoners of war."
Her face paled a little as I continued, "Vaniel has already signed their deaths in blood when turning their fangs on us. You saw the way Nyxis trembled at my touch from reliving those damnable events again. You saw the plumes of smoke dotting the horizon where remnants of villages lay in waste and its people slaughtered as they tried to flee. The faint traumatized whispers of the children brought by the caravan as they cried out to their mothers and fathers who won't see them grow."
I towered over Beatrice who clenched her fists and had her head down, "You may think me cruel for not allowing any of Vaniel's legion live. You may hate me for stating what is on my heart, but it is a risk to us all if those injured choose to continue the fight while our backs are turned toward them."
"If you wish to kill me," I handed a misericorde to Beatrice while surprised gasps filled the air only to calm at my gaze, "then take this blade and strike me down, old friend."
I watched as Beatrice held onto the blade for dear life while her mind played out the options before her and the consequences of each action. Kuval was being restrained by the scruff of the neck by the Little Bat who awaited the decision to be made while the air became unnaturally humid by the swirling emotions. Cries of several caravaneers who escaped a delayed battalion of Vaniel troops became nothing but frail noises as if the moment at hand was the only thing natural in the world. Duval silently stood with his arms crossed alongside the three Guardians of the Grotto as they watched on with the others. I smiled as the familiar blade surrounded by a fist struck the center of my chest.
"Bastard," Beatrice sighed, "you do everything to protect those you hold dear even if it makes you seem like a villain. Even though I know this, I can't help but want to save as many lives even if it meant great risk to myself. I…"
"Your one of the good ones," I interrupted, "you see good in everyone you meet whether they be of men or of monsters. That is why I brought you to the Undercroft so that you may find yourself once more and to be at peace knowing your sons would be proud. I'm not asking nor will I demand for you to change even if the world sees us differently. Hearing this, will you stand by my side as we make this a step toward the future?"
Beatrice smiled as she bowed, "Yes, my King!"
Nodding, I climbed on top of the carriage and gazed upon the shifting eyes around me as hushed voices spoke amongst themselves. Eyes that glared at the Aiinae, monster tongue for races of men, with long kept hatred for past deeds despite being amongst one another for several years while past blood feuds between the Lletpir, monster tongue for tribe. Long held grievances soon arose as a group of insectoids began to attack a group of Heaxnae which prey upon the insectoids despite being several inches smaller yet make up for it by using mouths filled with ravenous teeth. Another fight started soon as the turned paladins underneath Nathiel were targeted by various Lletpir who witnessed many of their individual tribes slain in front of them. Chaos soon spread like a line of string being set ablaze by a single flame as Jester appeared beside me.
[(If nothing is done, they'll kill each other. Then again, what right do I have to intervene? I mean it is dumb struck to imagine ruling a kingdom where old enemies live in peace among one another.)]
"Boss," Scarlett's voice brought me from such thoughts for a brief second, "you have to say something that they can believe in and willingly fight for."
A hand resting on my shoulder brought clarity to the darkness as I found Jack and Zeke standing on either side of me while Scar, Åse, and Dugen stood shoulder to shoulder with Ogga, Isho, and the Little Bat. Just like once before, I was once again surprised to find Akroq and Shz'rak standing before me even though they were the driving voices against having Aiinae live in the Grotto, let alone one considered to be their king. They each represented the lives I've held in my short time walking Aquera and the future I wished to forge. I owed it to them to continue down the path laid before me without looking back.
Walls of shadows rose around each person present as the ground was a bottomless abyss awaiting for the delicious morsels to fall into its gullet. Confused screams erupted from the dark crevices of intersecting walls as lights from unfinished spells peeked through hoping to taste the sunlight once again. From the cart, it looked like an entrance to some underground labyrinth had suddenly appeared after so many years of being undiscovered to once again claim foolish souls to walk its paths. The sounds of nearby battle filled the air as it drifted in through the trees hiding our small hastily made makeshift encampment signaling Veronica's choice in leading the charge. It was our time to make the decision that affects what kind of future we create.
Willing the walls to return where they came, I watched as all eyes turned to face me accompanied by an unsettling silence. I spoke in a loud clear voice so my words would not falter, "Fear does not hold compassion for one race or another yet harbors a long instilled ambition to consume all walks of life. Just like a rabbit fears the hidden fox cloaked in endless darkness so does each Lletpir and Aiinae present here today whatever the reason such an emotion bears fruit deep within. A fear of past blood feuds claiming those who you care for despite years of peace between one another. Fear of being betrayed by those you've considered family despite them standing beside you when times were tough."
Heads began to swivel around as eyes of hatred soon became smoldering coals just as I had hoped. "Fear," I leapt from the cart and walked the center path, "can be just as cruel as life can be. It's a cruel mistress that watches as our lives go on waiting for the perfect time to dig her claws into our bodies while it watches from unseen corners of the world laughing at our despair and feasts on our dread like a gluttonous swine."
I stopped just where the tree line broke, giving a faint view of the plumes of smoke rising from the battle field, "I was born from such fear long ago before becoming your king. The Baron of Fear some of you call me came from such a time when I gazed back into fear itself and asked for more. That is neither here or there at this moment as I look into each of your eyes hoping to not face such pain again. Do you know what I see standing before me?"
Mumbled words soon came over the silence as none tried to guess the answer each one knew deep within. "It's simple," I turned, "I see those who have allowed Fear to take hold of their hands for the longest time that it seemed normal to be led by it despite knowing something wasn't right. I see those who are ready to look fear in the eye and ask for more without worry of what comes next. I see people who are willing to change roles with their fear and wield it like the finest armament."
Eyes began to glow with new found life, "This is that moment many of you have waited for to break the chains of fear. This is the moment to decide what will become of the future just as it is for the brave warriors who are screaming their lungs loose for the future they desire despite a losing battle."
Battle cries rang out in the clearing followed by the sounds of explosions fired from cannons and the chants of spells. I closed my eyes and instantly felt the ground reverberate around me from the massive wheels carrying the bulk of several land ships trying to bring down the one Cortez took over. I watched as he fired the two hand held cannons dead center in groups of Vaniel knights lucky enough to climb aboard. Another image of Veronica using Flash Step as she cut down even more Vaniel troops on her way to face Agusta while Uncle and Thirteen faught side by side like bladed storms. The image of many dead came into view as a sword plunged deep into the chest of a Breura knight allowing them to join the plethora of brothers and sisters already slain.
[(Five hundred or so men stood at their side only to be cut down to a hundred or fewer men even with Cortez taking most of the weight off them.)]
I opened my eyes and roared, "Will you stand beside me?! Will you look into fear's eyes and make it your own?!"
Silence came over the horde of Aiinae and Lletpir making me feel as if my words didn't reach their hearts. I continued to look on as heads shifted from one another amid the chorus of murmured words silenced by the ever decreasing sounds of battle. Sighing, I looked to the sky before making the decision to go alone and provide the much needed reinforcement when Duval howled beside me. He wasn't alone as I found those who stood with me at the carriage now stood at my side as Orion perched on my shoulder. Soon a symphony of war cries filled my ears as it swallowed the surrounding area marking the beginning of the end.
I raised my sword, "This day shall be the birth of our kingdom and a reminder to all present of the strength we wield! Show them what it means to be a true monster in this world, hold nothing back! As your king, I order that none of you die here today so you may see the fruits of your labor!"
The sound of a head striking the ground at my feet silently went unnoticed as I kicked the beheaded corpse to the side before interlocking swords with two more Vaniel soldiers who struck out at a defenseless Veronica. Pushing them off balance, my blade sliced through each torso without disturbing the armor they wore as spurts of crimson stained the morning dew. My legs were swept from underneath me making the cloudless sky the center of attention as hidden pebbles found new homes. I was a bit dazed but not enough to duck into the shadows as four spears were buried into the ground where my chest once was, though not quick enough to fully avoid being slashed here or there. From Penumbra, I watched the four puzzled faces trying to understand where I had gone before each one turned to masks of surprised fear as shadowy tendrils lashed out from their shadows and enveloped them with crushing force.
I gave a sigh as the fighting continued above me, "Akroq was right about those Ghouls. They're too stubborn to die just like me."
The void of Penumbra was filled with the muffled shouts of battle as I continued to walk the line path of cobbled stone taking in the individual battles carrying on without knowledge that they were being watched. I grinned at the sight of Ogga swinging a Vaniel soldier around like the club he carried by the ankle and slammed him into charging troops while his wife Ghouta used earth magic to bind those who slipped underneath giving the big fellow another shot. My eyes were drawn to a duo clad in cloth and padded leather surrounded by bodies as more enemies climbed over their fallen to take down the ones responsible for a great number of dead. A man wearing the pelt of a black wolf over his shoulders stepped forward with a large greatsword meant to be wielded with both hands resting on his right shoulder chuckling as two arcs of magical energy sliced through the would-be attackers with ease. Not to be out done, the woman calmly walked into the heart of Vaniel troops and raised her serpentine wooden staff high above her head to call down swords of light down upon those foolish to charge forward without thinking.
I couldn't help grin even further as I whispered, "I feel sorry for those who marry them. I'm sure Ozog and Ulah will break them."
I continued down the path watching the world above play out like some kind of play being performed for rambunctious nobles. Shz'rak and his group were cutting down what remained of the cavalry that trampled many Breura soldiers before we arrived while Tus-Tus led his group to take any unwounded steads to safety for selling later. The calvary of goblins pounced over the terrain bringing death behind them as they worked alongside the denizens of Penumbra making a clear path for wounded to be taken away. Undead paladins acted as personal shields for Akroq who's dark magic shifted in the breeze around two land ships which began to rot upon contact with such magic. I stopped and watched the two kings fighting Agusta who surprisingly held his own against their experienced hands.
[(First things first, the land ships need to be destroyed.)]
I found Octavius' mana fluctuating on the furthest land ship being chased by two others as smoke drifted from its hull. Without wasting time, I used the shadows on board the ship and rose from clustered shadows to discover the old man fluttering about like some fairy as he ducked underneath two axes before driving two blades between gaps of armor covering the neck for a fatal blow. I leaned against the stairs leading to where the wheel was and continued watching the show as Octavius ran the length of a halberd like some high wire artists seen walking thin robes above a circus. He lunged over the tall Vaniel soldier who scowled as he tried to strike Octavius with a powerful fist only to roar in pain when a blade was driven in the back of his knees crumbling their support. Four more Vaniel troops rushed forward only to be blinded by shadows allowing Octavius an opportunity for simultaneous quick kills.
"Lord," he bowed before shutting up the screaming brute, "we can't keep going like this. I suggest either we commandeer another vessel or deal with the remaining land ships altogether."
Casually strolling up the stairs and cutting down any who interfered, I made my way to the rear of the ship to closely observe the now three pursuing ships firing magical energy from specifically made cannons along with common balls of iron. Craters of destruction were formed by the missed bombardments which sent groups of unlucky soldiers both ally or not souring into the air. I could hear the cries of those below deck calling for anything to extinguish the growing flames while others attempted to stop the trail of flash freezing ice beginning to coat one of the rear wheels. The two hand held cannons boomed behind me as I felt the boards beneath me rumble from the shifting weight from another brute charging like a wild beast only to skid to a stop. Seeing the Orc, I was reminded of the candle sticks he carried along with the strange weapons that smoke bellowed from.
Cortez blew the smoke from the cannons before greeting me, "Welcome aboard, Lord!"
I returned the greeting in kind by incinerating a pack of living ghouls charging from behind with missing limbs and chunks of their bodies gone. I smiled, "What's the damage, Captain?"
Cortez chuckled as he disarmed a Vaniel soldier looking to catch us off guard before shooting the poor wretch, "I'd say we're in a rough patch to be honest. Most of the cannons had been destroyed leaving a single line on each side and our men sitting ducks for arrows."
He stepped to the side as I grazed Poena against his fluttering tailcoat and drove it into another wretch sending a wave of black flame through her body. The sabre Cortez wielded cluttered in my right ear, almost cutting the tip, as he blocked a stray sword from coming down upon my shoulder rendering it useless. To my surprise, pain erupted from my side as a crouched cloaked figure drove a stiletto blade into my side just below my ribs. Exhilarated eyes hidden beneath an unfamiliar mask gleamed in the success of the usually fatal blow only to be replaced with unfelt fear as a shadowy limb surrounded its jaw. I saw the same half skeletal face that appeared in the broken mirror peering at me from those same fearful eyes before black flames engulfed them.
Ignoring the blade stuck in my side and the corpse clinging to it, I cleaved the arms of the Vaniel dog forcing the stalemate to end allowing Cortez to recover and deliver a well placed horizontal slash across the mongrel's neck. I didn't waste any time in allowing other Vaniel wretches to join the battle and placed my shadowy palm on the floorboards bringing more denizens of Penumbra to the world of light. A mass of billowy shadows erupted around me like a breathing fog before leathery wings were joined by bone chilling screams announcing the arrival of death. Two crimson eyes appeared in the mass of billowy wings as the hidden creature ran rampant on my enemies. Soon a humanoid bat bowed before me in the midst of corpses while its young began to feed on.
The creature soon joined the battle once more as I watched my form return to normal in a nearby pool of blood. "Tell me Captain," I turned to Cortez who lit a cigar, "do these ships have a weakness?"
"Aye," thick smoke crept from his mouth and nostrils, "a large magical crystal powers the ship allowing it to move on land with the aid of a mage."
He allowed ash to fall before continuing, "Such a crystal is usually located in the bowels of each ship and placed on a weighted platform with specially drawn runes that allow the contained magic within to easily travel throughout such a massive machine."
I watched as he pulled two cracked violet crystals from inside the two foreign weapons and held them out between us before tossing them over the side. He calmly reloaded two new dazzling crystals in each weapon as another volley of cannon fire struck the side of the ship making it hard to keep one's balance. Sounds of splintering wood sung with the petrified screams as the the stern of the closest ship acted like a spear head and drove through the stern of our vessel before retreating. Wood and men were torn from our ship only to disappear underneath massive wheels as cries were cut short by a volley of arrows. Notched arrows fluttered in the sky to rain down upon the deck where we stood only to be consumed by familiar white scaled serpents while large roots pushed through the ground ensnaring each ship in its crushing grasp.
More ships joined the others sending shrapnel throughout the battlefield like clay pots falling fro a high ledge. Half of Agusta's fleet were nothing but splintering husks decorating the field within mere seconds as a smile began to etch itself at such sights of destruction that brought hope for this campaign. Such feelings didn't stay for long however as the nearest back wheel finally gave way to the blaze causing the ship to buckle under us. I saw Octavius tossed overboard from the sudden jolt as all consuming flames finally reached the deck causing further hysteria among the few remaining Beastmen scrambling for safety. The familiar sound of cannons being fired came from the front, gaining my attention just in time to watch splintered wood glide into the air and a torrent of icy flame converge together.
Pain erupted throughout the back of my head when a small explosion threw me into a tied down crate loaded with supplies possibly stolen from ransacked farms. Groggily, I pulled an ear of corn from its irritable position between ribs and tossed it to the side before blurred images of Cortez pulling me up on my feet. All I could hear was a constant buzzing ring that would not go away no matter how much Cortez spoke into them while smoke and charred flesh once again made itself at home. The floor caught me once more when something grabbed my ankle with trembling hands hoping to be seen. Cortez once again pulled me upward and led me to a banister where pieces were missing.
[(What's going on?)]
Calming my rumbling heart, I pulled at the shadows around me hoping for some clearer picture of what was happening. Dozens of flowing mana rushed around me like a rampaging bull almost knocking me to my knees as the whispered screams flooded in without mercy drowning out the faint song. Uncle and Thirteen were laying on the ground while a woman laughed at their pained expressions between them only to elude Elesar's vines as they followed closely behind trying to ensnare such prey. Tartarus was competing with Duval and Kuval to see who kill the fastest while Isabella casted her vampiric spells from the safety of her guards as they held back the growing number of corpses. Veronica stood side by side with the Little Fox as they attempted to subdue her brother without killing him outright.
In the midst of it all, I heard Agusta give a command that would cause losses on both sides. His voice boomed from the largest of the land ships, "Open Fire!!!"
The melodious song of war filled my ears as a decision was made when pushing Cortez from the crumbling ship to safety without me. I mouthed sorry to him as he got to his feet after rolling on the ground then turned and headed for the missing bow without fear nor emotion in sight as if placed in a trance of some kind. I continued forward despite the bombardments tearing down the ship piece by piece on either side as surrounding shadows answered my call and took life of its own. Threads drifted from the spiraling black orb hovering above my palm and seeped into the small gaps between boards where they expanded throughout the ship like an octopus latching onto its prey. The sound of the ship fighting against the strain of tightening threads placed upon it bellowed from its gut as the frame was pulled together despite massive destruction.
The fleet of remaining land ships continued to fire upon me as I used the shadows to turn the remaining wheels straight at the center ship protecting Agusta while he hid with those successful in retreating. His annoying triumphant grin made the fire of anger burn hotter deep within my gut as another bombardment stuck the spot just in front of me with a tide of ice. The ship continued forward with its two remaining wheels closing the distance despite being a husk of its former self while shadows continued to gather. Frightened eyes could be seen as the ship was moments away from hitting dead center and a massive black orb spiraled furiously in my palm before being tossed forward. I began running full speed to the stern of the ship just as it collided and jumped over the banister hoping to make it in time only to be caught with the blast that followed in hopes to destroy what was left of the fleet.
Darkness gave way to flickering flames dancing around me through gaps between charred wood that laid over me like a soothing blanket. I fought through the pain erupting from my shoulder and side as I pushed the hefty chunk of the deck to the side allowing fresh air free entry into my body once more. Blades of green grass drenched in crimson were now charred remains devoured by bodies and pieces of siege weapons while magic eruptions boomed to life sending dirt sky high with the occasional spurt of red. Pain once again came alive when trying to sit up to examine the full extent of the desperate measure but I soon found a large slender piece of metal thrust deep in my right shoulder keeping me in place. I silently cursed at the inability to fully move my arm without causing pain and remove the rubble pinning my legs.
[(Yeah, that's going to need stitching and a bottle of ale.)]
Agusta's proud irritating voice boomed through the falling dust as he appeared like a spectre with a sword in hand. "You," he towered over me with angered yet intrigued eyes, "are quite the unpredictable man, O'Fearsome One. Crashing a broken down land ship into another to destroy what remained of an impenetrable fleet just to die anyway. Tell me, what was your reasoning?"
I chuckled against the strain it placed on my body before coughing out inhaled dust while Agusta looked on. "It's simple," I looked him in the eye, "desperate times call for desperate measures."
"You," he doubled over in laughter upon hearing my reasoning, "are a fool. You sacrificed not only your beloved monsters but the only line of defense between me and Breura. I have more ships waiting for my command to march upon her walls as we speak plus over a dozen men still left alive to siege the gates. You-"
I interrupted, "You like to hear the sound of your voice a little too much in my opinion. Already bragging when your query has yet to be slain and dreaming pipe dreams of conquering lands without realizing your playtime is done."
Agusta smiled as pain surrounded by lower left side when he applied pressure to the rubble holding me. He placed the tip of his blade against my neck, "Please enlighten me on how such an accusation involves me?"
My eyes did not budge, "Your little fleet hiding near the abandoned fishing hovel has been reduced to ashes and its guards killed. The Beastmen you've captured have been set free alongside your sister and the poisoned runes placed in Breura's drinking water has been despelled without issue. Everything you have bragged about or was going to was taken away right under your nose."
I spat blood to the side before continuing, "It's only a matter of time before realization sets in that Breura would not fall today no matter what!"
I had hoped this would insight Agusta into continuing his ranting while I tugged at the shadows behind him and escape the current predicament. The shadows however did not answer my call the way I had planned as a few outstretched strands reached to ensnare my fingertips only to become one again. I continued to pull at the shadows while keeping my eyes locked onto Agusta so that he wouldn't expect anything as sounds of distant battle came to life and earth rumbled underneath foot. Elesar and Tartarus were engaged in battle with a powerful mana signature that possibly belonged to the woman Kraven had mentioned before we each took a tunnel in the aqueducts. To be honest, I was quite relieved knowing that they had survived my desperate attempt in ending this battle and could finish the fight if need be and lead the others.
"If that's the case," Agusta raised his sword high above his head, "then the least I can do is offer my father the head of such an adversary."
I closed my eyes not out of fear but to reach the heart of shadows hoping to bargain with them as the blade came down. There is a taboo shadowmancers needed to avoid in order to keep themselves from being taken completely over by the dämon that call Penumbra home and I was willing to commit such a crime. One's shadow is just as important as one's soul making it valuable to those who dwell in the dark whispering promises of grandeur at the expense of eternal servitude. Luckily, I was spared when the sound of colliding swords filled my ears causing me to open my eyes and find Uncle in mostly broken armor holding Agusta's attack at bay. His left arm was clearly broken as it dangled about with every movement Uncle made in pushing Agusta back allowing Freya enough room to come to my aid.
Freya placed a foot in my elbow and part of my side as she wrapped her hands around the metal pipe pinning me. She wasn't wearing her helm making it appear that a dazzling flame draped around her broken armor as cracks ran like rivers along the center only to stop where part of the right chest and shoulder were completely missing. Jagged edges scraped across the grey shirt she wore underneath for comfort as she began to tug at the metal with every ounce of strength making it difficult to concentrate. I felt the metal give away little by little with each tug just as Agusta began to make his counterattack and started hammering Uncle with his own flurry of attacks knocking him to the ground. Losing interest in my Uncle, he began to stalk his way over to me with angered eyes at seeing Freya struggling to free me.
"Freya!" I yelled her name when she released the piece of metal and intercepted Agusta with what remained of her greatsword.
I struggled to grab hold of the pipe and continued to pull it free while watching Freya fail to strike Agusta who toyed with her like father used to do during our sparring matches. She went for an overhead chop that turned to a spinning horizontal slice mid swing hoping to catch her opponent off guard. The back of Agusta's left hand collided with her right cheek after dodging an ill timed thrust making Freya stumble off balance before eating dirt and receiving a kick to the gut adding insult to injury. I felt the pipe move with each tug as Agusta once again turned his attention towards me and knocked aside the frail balls of flame shot from my fingertips between tugs. Freya lunged on his back like a crazed animal clawing at his jugular and trying to rend his eyes free of their sockets when he was just a few more steps from me only to taste dirt once more. He chuckled as he plunged his blade between gaps of armor covering her chest and begun twisting the hilt making her screams amplify in my ears with each tug to get free.
I grabbed hold of the pipe and pulled as my gaze was fixed on the fading lights glimmering in Freya's eyes as Agusta began to cut off the flow of oxygen with his foot pressed against her windpipe. Gritting my teeth, I pulled the pipe without stopping no matter how painful it was until it was finally free and tossed like a makeshift spear at Agusta forcing him off her throat. His eyes gleamed as I showed signs of life once more and continued to cast spell after spell no matter how feeble they were just to keep his attention on me. He pulled a curved dagger from his belt when he was merely five steps from me and sliced through the thin threads surrounding his body before placing his left boot on my shoulder. I felt the tip of his blade dig into my throat as the faint warmth began to find its way down to splatter on the ground next to me.
With a crazed smile, "Fare thee well cur!"
The blade was raised just outside my vision as a faint drop of blood fell delicately like the venom from a spider's fang reared up and positioned to rain death down upon unsuspecting prey daring to test fate. I closed my eyes as the blade began its destined descent to end my life when a shout caught my attention once more forcing them open to watch Uncle charging forward with sword raised. I watched as his arm was pushed to the side mid swing and the dagger entered his gut in repetitive stabs forcing blood to flow from his mouth following the beloved blade finding a home in the blood drunk earth. After the fifteenth or so stab, Agusta stepped to the side allowing Uncle to clamor to his knees before finding a position behind him and placing the crimson stained blade against his throat. I struggled to pull free the wooden chunk pinning me down alongside the rubble as Uncle smiled and whispered faintly.
"I was finally able to make up for all those years a-" he fell over with a smile on his face as a pool of blood began to form.